Happy Hardcore Full Collection (1995-1997)

Apologies for the poor image above, I'm not very skilled with Microsoft Paint. I tried my best, and hopefully you will get the meaning behind the image and the review. This is a review dedicated to the mighty and legendary Happy Hardcore CD series, released on Arcade, which only ran for 2 years, but has left a mark on the Hardcore history. The legendary Devils have been synonymous for anything Happy Hardcore related, like the Wizard become the logo for anything Thunderdome related, and the massive skull for the Masters of Hardcore brand. The devils have been around for 30 years now, and it's time to celebrate.

Not only their 'birthday', but also mine. And on my birthday, I always go back to my roots, which is this majestic series. Obviously, because on the sixth album there is a song dedicated to everyone's birthday, but also because this series as a whole makes me happy. Happier than I could ever be. And it's time for it to receive a proper review, after so many years.

As you can see, top right hand corner, the first in this series did not have the Devils portraited on the cover. Ben Liebrand actually designed the first one, but then the second one had to be created, and they decided to give it its own 'logo', or brand. Also, as you've noticed, there are only 7 Happy Hardcore CDs and one 'The Mix', but there were in total 9 CDs, so why not mentioned the 9th? Well, because it's a rarity. And I've never even seen it, or heard of it. It's that rare. And I didn't have room for the 8th on the image. Told you my Paint skills are crap.

Happy Hardcore became back in 1994, and Arcade had to jump on this commercially successful and viable source of income, and created this short lived series. The first time I came into contact was when the second CD was released, in 1995. My mother never allowed me to have anything with 'Thunderdome' on the cover, so at least I was saved by the Devils on the cover. They looked innocent enough, and my mother fell for it.

Once I discovered Happy Hardcore, I was sold. Those happy vibes suited me a lot, and during the mid 90s you could not escape those anthems. On the radio, on the TV, and even in the top 50! I was too young to go out clubbing, but at the school disco they did play it. Hell, I even forgot to mention the school agenda. Never owned it, as I was more focussed on Thunderdome, but I did see them. Difficult decisions to make: the Devils or the Wizard? What to walk with for roughly a year?

The lifespan of this series was only 2 years, but I always assumed it was longer than that! They faded away into obscurity just before the Hardcore bubble burst. Maybe they knew the impending decline of Hardcore in general? Judging on the 8th and 9th CD in this series, they become single CD only (only 1 CD instead of 2), and the quality became less and less. Happy Hardcore 2 to 7, those were the best, without a shadow of a doubt.

But what was on each CD? Check out the rear of the CDs, click on the image below for each tracklist:

They were so influential to me, I still listen to them, 28-30 years since they were released. And I can dream each and every CD. I know exactly which song starts when, and when the beats kicks in, and more. Thunderdome and Happy Hardcore, two amazing CD series I have imprinted in my brain forever.

Happy Hardcore was everywhere, and this wasn't the only series out there. There were many, trying to gain a few pennies out of it. It was everywhere, and commercially a massive thing. Some might say that it caused the downfall of Hardcore in general, and I do concur, to some level. Yes, you had your extremely crappy Happy anthems, which had no real affiliation with Happy Hardcore, but were just made to 'cash' in. But overall it was a wonderful scene with some talented producers and DJs. Even the big producers, the ones who made Hardcore, made some Happy Hardcore anthems. They might not look back in fondness, but I do believe they should. As the music was great.

Each album had some absolute gems on it. And now the difficult task to note them all down. Here goes:

• Happy Hardcore CD 1 : Simon C - Fuck You

• Happy Hardcore CD 2 : DJ Weirdo & DJ Sim - Go Get Busy (Extended Rave Version)

• Happy Hardcore 2 CD 1 : Interactive - Who Is Elvis (Radio Rave '95 Mix)

• Happy Hardcore 2 CD 2 : Happy Toons - I Want You

• Happy Hardcore 3 CD 1 : Cixx - Ride To The Rhythm (Radio Mix)

• Happy Hardcore 3 CD 2 : Planoforce - Listen To Me

• Happy Hardcore 4 CD 1 : Cixx - Clap Your Hands

• Happy Hardcore 4 CD 2 : Eruption feat Katherine Woods - Let The Music

• Happy Hardcore 5 CD 1 : Mac Project - Everybody (Hard)

• Happy Hardcore 5 CD 2 : Bertocucci Feranzano & Toni Salmonelli - Daddy Snow (Original Version)

• Happy Hardcore 6 CD 1 : JDS - Higher Love (DJ Slipmatt Unreleased Edit)

• Happy Hardcore 6 CD 2 : Cixx - Gimme Da Dope

• Happy Hardcore 7 CD 1 : Cherrish - Confusion

• Happy Hardcore 7 CD 2 : Attaboy - For America (Hardcore Mix 2)

• Happy Hardcore 8 CD : Gian Pierro - Ready To Rave (Radio Mix)

• Happy Hardcore 9 CD : Dyewitness - We Are Observing The Earth

• Happy Hardcore School Agenda CD : No Velocity - Give Me Body

• Happy Hardcore The Mix CD : Justin Time - Help Me (Demo Mix)

As you can see, I am not your 'standard' Happy Hardcore fan, I do actually love it and appreciate it. Would be interesting to find out which song you love? Go and check the tracklist out, and leave a comment below.

I can imagine that there are people out there who detest this compilation series, and I truly understand it. But also understand that this brought a lot of people lots of memories, and actually the music ain't that bad, you know? Well, you had your crappy anthems, but they were on each compilation. Even the mighty Thunderdome had a lot of crap songs on it. Still made people happy though.

If you grew up in a world where there was no Happy Hardcore, go and investigate. Not every CD is out there, but worth looking out for. Investigate what once was, and what we deeply miss. They don't make them like they used to. Maybe that's why I made the step to UKHC back in the early 2000nd? It came close to the Happy sound from the 90s. Who knows?

Always happy, and remain happy. That's my philosophy. And this series meant a lot to me. It will never leave my sight. OK, number 1, 8, 9 and the School Agenda one can disappear. But 2 til 7, yeah, those are the cherished ones. Probably the best albums I've ever listened to. And that's high praise.

If you were around in the 90s, you might have seen the 'Happy Rave' CDs, which were released in Germany. Basically the 'same' CD, but different title. And the numbering was off too. Weird.

Shame it only lasted 2 years. But Arcade was ahead of the curve, the pending demise of Hardcore. Wish they would give it a proper send off instead of Happy Hardcore 8 & 9. But those were the days, and we cannot change what was. Only dream what could have been....